SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Oct. 16, 2010) - Coming off a disappointing performance two weeks ago in Charlotte, senior Ben Ronoh (Sotik, Kenya) bounced back in a big way as the Buccaneer runner placed second overall at the USC Upstate Invitational Saturday afternoon, located Milliken Research Park.

Ronoh captured his highest placement of the season after clocking in at 25:19 in the 8K race, which are the same grounds the 2010 Atlantic Sun Championships will be contested on in two weeks. Meanwhile, as Ronoh was returning to his top form, sophomore Landon Milhorn (The Woodlands, Texas) posted his best performance since arriving at ETSU. The product from Lone Star state finished tenth overall with a time of 26:10.

In addition to Ronoh and Milhorn, freshmen Desmond Pierce (Morristown, Tenn.) and Sean Duffy (Jonesborough, Tenn.) both turned in respectable efforts Saturday afternoon. Pierce came in 19th (26:32), while Duffy followed right behind in 20th. Duffy finished the course in 26:35.

On the women's side, senior Caitlyn Epps (Cookeville, Tenn.) was again the leading runner for ETSU after completed the 5K course in 19:39, resulting in a 17th-place performance for the Cookeville, Tenn. native.

The ETSU cross country teams return to action on Saturday, Oct. 30, when the Bucs battle for a conference championship. The meet will be held on this same course in Spartanburg, S.C.